Abrading apparatus



April 18, 1939. v c. H. HAMMELL 2,154,843

ABMDING APPARATUS l Filed March 21, 1956 #sheets-sheet 1 INVENTOR BY I y@ ATTORNEYS y, l

April 18, 1939.

3. H. HAMMELL A/BRADING APPARATUS Filed-Narn 21, 195e v sheets-sheet '2 ATTORNEYS April 18, 1939.' c. H. HAMMELI.

ABRADING APPARATUS- Filed March 21, 1936 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR (fiar/S fl. Hamme/l ATTORNEYS April 1s, 1939.

c. H. HAMMELJ..

ABRADING APPARATUS Filedmrcn 21. 1936 7 sheetsfsheet'f4 l April 18,'1939f c. H. HAMMELL ABRDING APPARATUS Filed March 21, 1936 '7' Sheets-Sheej; 5

lINVENTOR MMM NNN

. www um ATTORNEYS April 18, 1939.

c. H. HAMMELL.

ABRADING A APPARATUS Filed March 2l, 1936 7 vSh'eetes-Sheet. 6

'gjm il IL- N, INVEN-vron Patented Apr. 1s, 1939 UNITED s'l'g'rlasy PATENT oFFIcE ABRADmGArPARATUs aware Application March 21, 193e. smal Nolyaosv 17 Claims.

This invention relates to apparatus for abrasive treatment of metal articles, and more particularly to apparatus for cleaning and treating castings, forgings and similar metal articles capable of being rolled on a supporting surface or surfaces.

According to this invention, the metal article to be cleaned or treated 4is vgiven a rolling or spinning movement, and is simultaneously advanced in a lineal direction through a stream of abrasive particles. The abrasive particles are projected with suitable velocity and in a' suitable direction, preferably by a centrifugal abrasive projecting machine or wheel, to subject del5 sired portions of the surface of each article to be treated to the' abrasive effect of the stream of particles. 'I'he abrasive particles in the stream Y may be projected at various angles by the wheel,

so that, as the articles' are moved through the 20 abrasive stream, any desired, or all,4 portions of the surface of ,the'artlcles including exterior and interior surfaces and the surfaces of projections and depressions, are struck by the abrasive particles.

g5 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the articles to be treated are supported on a suitable conveyor comprising a plirality ofsubstantially parallel rolls, each lof w ch has a helical abutment adapted to bear against the peripheral portion or portions of the article. Driving means is provided for rotating the rolls, whereby `the articles supported .upon the rolls are given a ro- .tary movement, and, simultaneously, are ad-` vanced in a lineal direction along on the rolls. An abrasive projector, preferably of the rotary centrifugal type,'is mounted in position to project astream of abrasive'particles against the rotating articles totreat predetermined portions of the .surfaces of the articles. Two rolls -are generally sumcient'to properly rotate and linearly advance most rollable articles, but if the article is not suiiiciently symmetrical to remain upright on the rolls, a sufficient number of rolls is provided to engage the article at three or more spaced ,45 portions of the periphery to maintain it in a suitable position to be moved in the direction of its axis of rotation.

The invention also provides a suitable mechanism whereby the articles to be treated can be automatically supplied to and placed in engagement with the conveyor in the proper position and at the proper time for initiating rotation and forward movement of the articles.. Mechanism is also provided for vremoving the articles present invention, in which:

from the conveyor when they reach the discharge end of a conveyor.

Various other features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the following par.- ticular description and from an inspection of 5 the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown, for the purpose of illustration, apparatussuitable for carrying out the process according /to the Fig. 1 is a View showing a vertical, longitudinal section through one form ofthe apparatus;

'Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the apparatus;`

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the appa- 15 ratus; y 4 Fig. 4 is a view showing a horizontal section taken along line 4--4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View showing a transverse vertical section taken along 'line 5-5 of 20 Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 ,is a fragmentary view showing a sec- ,tion taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view ltaken through another form of apparatus; 25

` Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional View taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 9 is a rear elevational view; j

Fig. -10 is a horizontal sectional view taken along the line Illl0 of Fig. 7; Q 30 F'rg. 11 is a fragmentary view showing a modined form of roll having two different articles thereon for illustrating the operation of this type of roll;

Fig. l2 is a'diagrammatic side elevational view 35 illustrating the progress of an article through the abrasive stream and the manner in which the various surfaces are exposed to the stream; and Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic front elevational view correspondingto Fig. 12. 40

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1 to A6, the apparatus shown comprises a suitable supporting framework I, which serves to support the operating mechanism, a-substantial portion of which is contained within a closed housing 2. Mounted 45 onuthe top wall of the housing 2 is Aan abrasive projector, preferably in the`form'of an abrasive throwing wheel 3, rotatably mounted on a shaft 4' joumalled inl bearings 5 and driven from a motor 6 through a driving belt 1. 50

Preferably, thewheel 3 is of the rotary centrifugal type having means for controlling'the direction of discharge of the thrown abrasive; and may comprise a pair of spaced parallel side'Y plates i0 carrying radially extending blades Il 55 to whichqabrasive is supplied by a relatively stationary tubular control member and an impeller I2 rotatable with the sideplates I9, of the type generally disclosed in Peik Patent No.' 1,953,566. The wheel 3 is adapted to project a stream of abrasive a downwardly into the housing 2, which stream spreads out fan-wise throughout approximately 90", and having a relatively elongated impingement pattern. The wheel 3, preferably, is

' connected to the drum 28. The drum 29 drives,l

' .veyor screw 24 are operated.

ltrough 29 toward the centre thereof.

housed in a guard housing I3 having a. suitably shaped guard liner I4.

Abrasive is supplied from a supply hopper I5, through a conduit |6, having a control valve I1, to a feed spout I8 from whence the abrasive is supplied to the impeller I2. 'Ihe impeller I2 throws the abrasive into the path of the blades II which project the abrasive at high velocity in a stream having a predetermined shape and direction. Disposed within the housing 2 is a collecting hopper I9 having a depending trough 29 in which is disposed a conveyor screw 2| extending longitudinally of the housing 2 and adapted to transport abrasive from both ends of the A suit'- able deector 22 may be disposed above the screw A transverse trough 23 extends from the centre of the trough 29 to the side of the housing 2', and is provided with a conveyor screw 24 adapted to transport abrasive to a suitable ele- The elevator 25 may have an endless belt 26 carrying a plurality of buckets 21, and may be trained over upper and lower drums 28 and 29. 'I'he elevator 25 is driven from a motor 39 driving a belt 3|, which in turn rotates a pulley 32 a shaft 33 carrying a sprocket 34 having trained thereover a chain 35 driving a sprocket 36 carried on the shaft 31 of the transverse conveyor screw 24. Thus, upon energization of the motor 39, both the elevator and the transverse conspaced, substantially parallel rolls 59, each provided with a. helical abutment means, as for example the helical groove 5|, the pitch of which is selected in accordance with certain dimensions of the articles to be treatedf'as will hereinafter be explained. Each roll 59 is carried on a shaft 52 extending longitudinally of the housing 2 and journalled in pillow blocks 53 mounted at the ends of the support I. Each pillow block 53 has a base portion 54 provided with a' flared portion 55 slidable in and forming a dove-tailed joint with a grooved way 56 of a track member 51.

'Ihe track members 51 are supported on a beam 58 carried on suitable portions 59, 65 of the support I.

Threaded oppositely through the base portions 54 of the pillow blocks 53, at each end of the conveyor, is a screw 69 which'is also threaded through a stationary block 6| rigidly mounted on the support I. The screw 69 at the forward (left-hand end as viewed in Fig. 1) end of the support I is provided with a hand wheel 63, and

` carries a bevel gear 64 meshing with a bevel gear 6.5, carried on a shaft 66 journalled in bearings 61. 'Ihe other end of the shaft 66 at the rear end of the support I (right-hand end as viewed in Fig. 1) carries a similar gear 65 mesh'- ing with the gear 64 carried on the screw 69 at the rear end of the apparatus. -Upon 'suitable rotation of the hand wheel 63, the pillow blocks 53 at the front end of the apparatus can be moved closer together or farther apart. Simultaneously, the screw 60 at the rear end of the apparatus is actuated in a similar manner to give the pillow blocks 53 at that end a similar movement to the pillow blocks at .the forward end. Thus, the spacing of the rolls can be adjusted without disturbing their parallel relationship.

'I'he rolls 59 are driven from a motor 19 driving a pulley 1|, preferably of the variable speed type, over which is trained a belt 12, also trained over a pulley 13 driving 'a speed reducing unit 14. The unit 14 drives a sprocket 15 which drives a sprocket 16, through a chain 11. The sprocket 16 is carried on the end of the right-hand shaft 52 (as viewed in Fig. 2), and rotates the same together with the roll 59. Each shaft 52 carries a gear 19 adapted to mesh with a gear 89 carried on a stub shaft 8|, rotatably supported in the ends 82 of link members 83 which have their other ends receiving and secured to the shafts 52. The supporting arrangement for the gear 89 insures that it will be in mesh with theA gears 19 throughout vthe entire range of adjustment of they rolls 59, whereby the rotation of the shaft 52 by the sprocket 11 is transmitted through the gear 19, and the gear 89 to the second gear 19 to rotate the secondshaft 52 in the same direction as the rst shaft 52. It will be seen that, upon adjusting movement of the -shafts 52, the gear 89 -Will move vertically in a suitable manner so as -to always be in engagement with'both of the gears 19. This arrangement permits the spacing of the rolls to be adjusted to accommodate readily articles of various sizes.

A loading vestibule 99 is mounted on an extens ion 9| of the housing 2 adjacent the forward end of one side, and is closed by one or more flexible curtains 92. 'I'he floor or platform 93 of the vestibule projects into the housing 2 to a point well beyond the centre ofthe right-hand roll 52. Disposed opposite the end of the vestibule 99 is a A swing comprising a pair of parallel arm portions 96 supported from a portion 91 mounted on a pivot 98 journalled in brackets 99. secured to the housing 2. The arms 96 terminate in a seat |99 adapted to engage the periphery of an article to be treated, which, for the purposes of illustration, is shown as a drum d, having spaced anges e, and being a preliminary casting from which brake drums are formed. Preferably, the pitch of the groove 5| of each roll is equal to the distance between the flanges e so that when the drum d is disposed on the rolls, the flanges e are received in adjacent turns of the grooves.

'Ihe swing 95; when lin` the position shown in Fig. 5, cooperates with the end of the floor 93 in holding the drum d out of contact with the rolls 59. The free'end of the swing 95 is provided with a roll |9| rotatable on a pin |92, and adapted to be engaged by a cam |93 carried on a shaft |94 rotatable in a bracket |95. The shaft |94 is drivenfrom the shaft 52 by a sprocket |96, a chain |91 and a sprocket |98. The cam |93 preferably is drlven-at one-tenth the speed as the rolls'59, and is so adjusted that it permits the .swing 95 to swing to the left, as viewed in Fig. 5,

away from the end of the floor 93, thus permitting the drums d to be lowered onto the rolls 52 .spacing mechanism for movement therewith so that the end of the floor 93 has the same position relative to the subjacent roll 50 for all positions of adjustment of the rolls 50, 59. Refer- 'i ring to Figs. 2, 3' and 4, a member |30 is rigidly connected to the pillow block 53 nearest the vestibule 92 and is linked to a lever |3| pivoted to the supporti. The lever |3| is connected by a link |32, of. adjustable length, to a frame |33 which latter is pivoted at one end to the support I and at the other end to the vestibule 99.

When the spacing of the rolls is varied, as will occur whenthe hand wheel 83 is actuated, the

' 1 frame |33 is rocked about its'lower pivot and slides the4 vestibule in the same direction Aas the subjacent roll 59. The vestibule-99 may be locked in position, when the adjustment is completed, by a pin |35 extending through suitably placed openings |36 in the vestibule and corresponding openings (not shown) in the portion 9|.

Disposed adjacent to the rear ends of the rolls 59 is a suitable chute II5 for receiving the drums d as they pass from the ends of-the rolls 50 and directing lthe drums d to a discharge vestibule III formed in the housing 2 and closed by one or more iiexible curtains ||8. Spaced from the ends of the rolls 59 is a deflector I I9 having a soft, resilient jacket |20 for assisting in directing the brake drums 9 into the chute I5.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows: 'I'he motor 8 is energized to rotate the wheel 3, and abrasive is supplied to the wheel 3 from the hopper I8, whereby the wheel projects a stream of abrasive downwardly into the housing 2, and between the rolls 50, inl a stream having a -sub- V'stantially elongated impingement pattern, which may be of less width than the space between the rolls 59. The motor;` 301s also energized to return abrasive from the hopper I9 to the supply hopper I8.

The motor 101s energized, and rotates the rolls 59 in a manner which will be apparentfrom the foregoing description. A drum d, to b'e treated, is disposed in the loading vestibule and impelled forwardly with sufcient force to roll it past the end ofJ the floor 93 and into engagement with the seat |09. If desired, the oor 93 of the loading vestibule may be inclined sulciently to cause the drum d to roll therealong, due to the gravity. As soon as the rolls 59 are in proper position to receive the drum d, the swing 95 is retracted and allows the drum d to be lowered onto the rolls 5l.

' 'I'he rims or flanges e of thke drum d are received in a small portion of two consecutive turns of 'each groove 5| of each roll 59, whereby, as the rolls rotate, the drum d is caused to rotate about its centreV of curvature or principal axis, and is alsourged forwardly along inthe housing 2.

As the ldrurrrd enters the abrasive stream a,

it is struck by the abrasive particles at Va prede- ,termined angle, and as the drum d is advanced through the stream it is ,rotated completely, one

or more times, to expose all 'portions to the action of the-'.abrasive'stream. As the drum is moved through the stream, it is struck by abrasive from .-v

vangles varying throughout 'a considerable range, to therebycause the abrasive to impinge upon vporting framework 29| and a housing 292. Ex-

- operating conditions.

the surface of the various cavities and projections.

\When the drum d reaches the end of the rolls 50, it is forced therefrom and Astrikes the deflector H9 which directs it -into the chute II5, which directs it into the discharge vestibule II'I, from which it can be removed conveniently.l

The apparatus so far described-is capable of modification in order to render it more suitable for varying requirements. For. example, where articles are to be treated which are symmetrical about their principal axis, but unsymmetrical or unbalanced about a second axis, an arrangement may be provided whereby such articles are maintained in position for a movement along the principal axis. An illustrative form of such apparatus is shown in Figs. 'l to 10, towhich reference now' is made.

The apparatus may comprise a suitable suptending` through the top wall of the housing is one or more abrasive projectors 293, generally similar to the projector`3, above described. The projectors 293 may be driven by a suitable motor 204, or motors, and may be enclosed in a housing 205 and fed from a hopper 298 through conduits 201, cooperating with each projector 203. Where a plurality of projectors 293 are employed, pref erably, they will be arranged to rotate in opposite directions so that their abrasive streams a, a provide a total abrasive zone having a wide range of angularity. Various other arrangements of projectors may be made, according to the sizes and shapes of the articles to be treated, or other Disposed in the housing 292 is a hopper 2I9 in which is disposed a conveyor screw 2II carried on a shaft 2|2, journalled in central bearings 2I8 and 2|3, the latter being protected by a hood 2|4. A transverse trough 2 I5 extends from the central portion of the hopper 2I0, and has therein a conveyor screw 2I8 carried on a-'shaft 2I'I. The conveyor screws 2II and 2I8 are driven from a motor 2I9 driving a sprocket 220 which drives a chain 22| rotating a sprocket 222 carried on theshaft 2I2. A sprocket 223 carried on the shaft I2 drives a chain-224 which rotates a sprocket 225 carried on a shaft 228 which drives a bevel gear 221 meshing with a `bevel gear 228 carried on and driving a shaft 2II. Upon energization of the motorl 2I9, the screw 2II is actuated to force abrasive toward the trough 2I5, and the screw 2|6 forces-the abrasive to an elevator 229 which ,elevates the abrasive to the feed hop,- per 298, preferably in a manner similar to that above-described.

Disposed longitudinally in the housing, 292 is a plurality of. spaced parallel rolls 230, eachhaving a helical abutment meansvsuch as a groov'e 23|. In the illustrative embodiment, four such rolls are sliown.-v but various numbers may be used, according to varying conditions of use. The two lower mils are carried on shafts 232 extending throughout the housing- 202 and jour: nalledj in pillow blocks 233 suitably mounted on brackets238 and 239 on the ends of the housing 202; the two upper rolls 230 are carried on shafts 234 journalled in pillow blocks 235carried on the upper bracket 235', at the rear end of the housing and in bearings 236 supported by brackets-231 spaced from the forward end of the housing 202. Guard plates 298 partially protect the driving mechanism at the rear end of the housing.

The rolls 239 are driven from a motor 249 which may be mounted on the top wall of the housing 202 and which drives the sprocket 24| driving a chain 242 rotating a sprocket 243 fixed to a stub shaft 244 journalled in a bearing 245 centered with respect to the shafts 232 and 234. The shaft 244 carries a gear 248 which meshes with gears 241 carried on each of the shafts 232 and 234. Upon energization of the motor 240, the stub shaft 244 is rotated and drives the gear 248 which rotates the gears 241 and the rolls 230. A loading opening 248, which may be closed by a fiexible curtain 249, is provided at the forward end of the housing 202. A loading cradle 250 is provided and has depending flanges 25| receiving pivot pins 252 carried by a plurality of arms 253 rigidly carried on shafts 254 journalled in the housing 202. The arrangement of parallel arms 253 and supporting shafts 254 provides a parallel motion mechanism whereby the cradle 250 may be moved rearwardly and downwardly to a position parallel to the position shown in Fig. '7. e

The cradle 250 may have an upstanding arm 258, formed by a bifurcate upper end 251, and may have also a ange 258 at its forward end. Thus, the cradle is adapted to receive and 'support a member having a generally circular shape and a hub-like portion. For the purpose of illustration, a brake drum casting c, having a rim r and a hub h, is shown. The flange 258 is adapted to receive the periphery of the casting c and abut the rim r, andl the bifurcate portion 251 is adapted to receive the hub h..

The cradle 250 is actuated from one of the shafts` 232 by a sprocket 210 driving a chain 21| rotating a sprocket 212 which is carried on and drives a shaft 213 journalled in a bearing 214 and driving a speed reducer 215, mounted on av suitable bracket 218 carried by the housing 202. The speed reducer 215 drives a shaft 211 which carries a cam 218 cooperating with a follower 219. The follower 213 has a head 280 slidable in a way-28|, and is connected to a link 282 4pivotally connected to an arm 283 fixed on one of the shafts 254. The arm 283 is normally urged forward by a spring 284 anchored to a fixed member 285. When the shaft 232, to which the speed re-` ducer215 is connected, is rotated, the cam 218 is driven and causesthe follower to be forcedrearwardly, which rocks the arm 283and the. shaft 254, and causes the'arms 253 to move the4 cradle 250 rearwardly and downwardly into a-,position whereby a casting c may be deposited thereon through the opening 248.

As the cam vcontinues to rotate, it permits the cradle 250 to 'be moved forwardly and upwardly by the spring 284 into the positionl shown in '7 and 8. The shaft 232 is connected to the cradle-actuating mechanism in such a way that, the casting c is presented to the rolls 230 at the proper time, so that corresponding portions, of the grooves 23| of the rolls 230 are brought into position tov receive the rim 1' of the casting c, whereupon the latter is caused to rotate about its axis and -to be advanced along on the rolls230. The cradle 250 and associatedimechanism may be designated as the loading mechanism.

An unloading chute 290 is disposed adjacent the rear end of the rolls 230, and a rotatable arm 29| is mounted on a shaft 292 adjacent the upper end of the chute 290. The arm 29| has a flange 294 adapted to engage the forward end of a casting c, and has an upstanding portion 29|' formed with a. bifurcate end 293 adapted to re` ceive the hub of the casting c. The arm 29| is continuously rotated from the speed reducer 215.

through a shaft 295 journalled in a bracket 298 and driving a `gear 291 which drives a suitable transfer mechanism 298 driving a gear 299 carried on shaft 292. The arm 29| is driven at such a speed that it is adapted to engage the casting c just as,r the casting vreaches the ends olf the rolls 230 and lifts the casting up onto the upper end of the chute from whence it slides through a discharge opening 300 closed by a flexible cur- The arm 29| and associated mechanism may be designated as the unloading mechanism.

'Ihe operation of this embodiment of the invention is, in general, analogous to the operation of the first form, and is as follows: The motors 204 are energized to drive the wheels 203 and project the abrasive in streams a. 'Il'ie motor 240 is energized to drive the rolls 230, the loading mechanism and the unloading mechanism. The motor 2|9 is energized to drive the screws 2| I vand 2|8. A casting c is deposited upon the cradle 250 when it is in its rearmost position, and the cradle 250 then carries the casting c upwardly and forwardly, and -delivers it to the rolls 230. grooves 23| engage the rim r, and the casing c is rotated aboutits axis and advanced longitudinally along on the rolls 230.` As the casting cpasses through tne abrasive streams a. a, the

'having the specific shapes illustrated. For example, the abutment means on the rolls may be modified in various ways to accommodate articles having variouslyshaped perimeters, and may take the form of helical ridges or flanges rather than grooves. Also.' the grooves may be of suflicient size toaccommodate the entire width of the pe- 'riphery of the article instead of a portion only.

The apparatus also is capable of being operated in combination with suitable automatic means for supplying articles to the apparatus and rmoving them therefrom, whereby no manual operations are required.

Referring to Fig. 1l, a roll 305 is shown having l a helical upstanding flange@ 308 which serves as an abutment for effecting movement of the articles to be treated. The flange 308 is adapted to support an article, such as 'the member Ic, and

cause movement thereof by engagement with a grooved or flanged portion l of theperiphery. If the flange 308 is of suitable width, an article such as the member m may be supported on the roll 305 between adjacent turns of the iiange 308, and is moved by abutment between the flange 308 and the end of the article m.`

Referring now to Figs. 12 and 13, there is shown diagrammatically how the present invention effects a thorough treatment of the various surfaces ofan article to be'treated. There is shown an abrasive projector 3 and a series of 'drums k representing numerous of the successive positions through which an article passes as it is advanced through the stream a projectedy by the projector 3. For the purposes of illustration. va drum 7c a plurality.of beads/or corrugations l', a pair of inturned rims or flanges f and aninternal shoe s.

The drum k is rotated and advanced into the stream (from the left, as viewed in Fig. 12), and the vouter face of the right-hand nange enters the stream, then the top edge of the flange f, and then the inner face of the shoe s. As the drum k: advances further, the inner face of the left-hand flange f enters the stream, and finally the top. edge thereof. Since the drum lc is rotated about its axis during its advancing movement, all circumferential portions of the various surfaces dmentioned are exposed successively to the stream of abrasive during the course of one rotation. y

'When the drum lc advances further into the stream, the outer face of the web w passes into the stream. The dru'm'k continues to advance in the stream and to rotate,l thereby exposing all peripheral portions to the abrasive action of the particles. ^As the drum lc advances, the angle at which the particles strike it gradually change from an inclination on one side of the vertical, through the vertical, to an inclination on the opposite side ofthe vertical. Thus the surfaces4 of all projections and depressions in the web w, as for example the beaded portions l, are exposed to the stream.

When the drum k passes beyond a position under the vertical portion of th'e stream, the particles begin to strike it from the Aleft and thus strike ,the outerface of the left-hand flange f. As the drum advances further,..the streamventers the drum from the left, and impinges on the inner fee ofthe right-hand rim. Thus, when the drum k passes outof the stream, all of the various surfaces will have been subjected to the abrasive effects'of -thestream f As will beseen from Fig. 13, the various circumferential portions of the drum k passthrough the stream a during the course of a single 'rotation of the drumlc. Hence, an article can be effectively treated, even though the stream may be of considerably. less width than the diameter of the article treated. Depending upon the rate of advance thr h the stream with respect to the rate of rota on of the article,-a very narrow stream maybe used. 'I'he width and spread of the stream, preferably, will be selected suitably in accordance with the size and shape of the articles t6 be treated and other operating `conditions. Y d

From the foregoing it will be seen that the present invention provides a convenent and' satisfactory apparatus for cleaning, hardening, finishing or otherwise treating artlclesabrasively, and isespecially adapted for the treatment of articles having peripheries of such shape that the articlesr conveniently can lie/rolled on a supporting surface. satisfactory means for-treating all portions of the. surface of articles having projections, recesses, or other irregularities., and permits the treatment of 'articlesof such shape and'size that they cannotconveniently be treated in a tumbling While certain novel features-of the invention have been dlsemsed and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it -will be understood that various omissions, substitutions and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is: f

l. A machine for blast cleaning metallic articles including in combination, an abrasive throwing wheel for projecting a fan-shaped stream of The invention also provideslic Aarticles including, a pair of substantially parallel rolls for supporting the articles tol be treated, a helical abutment on at least one of said rolls adapted to engage the articles to be treated, means for rotating at least one of said rolls to effect combined rotation of the article and for- Aabrasive having a generally elongated implngeward movement of the article in the direction -of its axis of rotation, an abrasive throwing wheel having its axis of rotation extending in a direction generally transverse to the direction'of forward movement of the 'article to be cleaned, said wheel being operative to project a fan-shaped stream of abrasive having an elongated implngement patterny against the exterior and interior portions of said article while the same is being moved forwardly whereby to effect interior and' exterior cleaning of the article during its passage through -said stream, the longitudinal axis of said implngement pattern extending generally parallel to and between the longitudinal axis of said rolls. Y I

3. A machine for blast cleaning metallic articles including in combination, an article conveyor, article-engaging means associated with said conveyor for imparting a combined rotary and forward movement to the article to be cleaned, means for driving said article conveyor, loading mechanism including article 'supporting means, and means for manipulating said article supporting means in synchronism with the movement of said conveyor for-v automatically placing the article in position to be engaged by saidengaging means, and an abrasive throwing wheel for projectingfan abrasive stream' against the article on said conveyor.

i. A machine for blast cleaning rollable metallic articles including in combination, an abrasive throwing wheel operative to throw a fan-shaped stream of abrasive particles, and an apparatus for 'conveying the rollable articles in a direction generally transverse to the axis of rotation of said wheel," said apparatus including a rotatable member for. supporting the tunable erueles to be cleaned, a helical article-engaging abutment on said rotatable member, means for rotating said member to produce combined rotation ofthe articles in said stream and forward movement of said articles through said stream, and means for feeding said articles to said member in accordance with the predetermined position 'of said abutment.A

` 5. A machine for blast cleaning rollable metallic articles including incombination, an abrasive throwing wheel operative to throw `a'fan-shaped stream of abrasive particles, and an apparatus for conveying rollable articles in 'a direction gen.

erally transverse to the axis of rotation of said wheel, said apparatus including a rotatable member for supporting the articles to be cleaned, a helical article-engagingabutment on said rotatable member, means for rotating said 4member to produce combined rotation of the articles in through said stream, and means forfeedingv said 1 said stream and forward movement of the articles A articles to said member in accordance with the predetermined position of y'said abutment, said y10. A machine for blast cleaning metallic means including a pivoted lever for retaining said articles out of engagement with said rotatable,` member, and cam means driven in synchronism with said rotatable member for actuating said pivoted lever to cause said articles to be deposited upon said rotatable member when said abutment A is in a predetermined position relative to said article.

6. A machine for blast cleaning rollable metallic castings, forgings and like metallic articles including in combination, an abrasive throwing wheel operative to throw a fan-shaped stream of abrasive particles having a generally elongated impingement pattern, and an apparatus for conveying the rollable articles through said stream in a direction generally transverse to the axis of rotation of said wheel, said apparatus including a plurality of spaced generally parallel conveying rolls, and means for rotating said rolls simultaneously, the longitudinal axis of said impingement pattern extending generally between` the longitudinal axis of said rolls, said rolls being spaced generally-outside of the impingement pat,- tern dened by the thrown abrasive.

'7. In a machine for cleaning rollable metallic y articles including in combination, an abrasive throwingwheel operative t`o throw a fan-shaped stream of abrasive particles, and an apparatus for conveying the rollable articles through said stream in a direction generally transverse to the axis of rotation of said wheel, said apparatus including a plurality of parallel conveying rolls, a

driving member operatively connected to each of said rolls, a transmission member engaging all of said driving members, means for varying the spacing of said rolls, and links connected at one end'to said rolls and at the other end to said transmission member for retaining said transmis- "sion member in engagement with said driving members in all positions of said rolls.

8. A machine for blast cleaning rollable metallic articles including in combination, a plurality of substantially parallel rolls adapted to engage at least thLee spaced substantially co-planar `portions of me periphery of the rollablearticle to be cleaned to support the article in a predetermined position relative to said rolls, means on at least one of said rolls for effecting combined rotation and forward movement of said article, and an abrasive throwing wheel for projecting a stream of abrasive having a generally elongated impingement pattern against the article supported by said rolls, the lngitudinal axis of said impingement pattern extending generally between the longitudinal axis of said rolls. f

9. A machine for blast cleaning hollow metallic articles including in combination, an abrasive projector of the rotary centrifugal type having Ameans for controlling the direction of projection of the, abrasive andl operative to project affanshaped stream of abrasive particles having various portions diverging outwardly from said projector and defining a generally elongated impingement' pattern, spaced means for advancing an article to be cleaned through said stream, and` means for rotating said article about an axis extending in the general direction of advance movement of the article and in a direction generally transverse to the axis of rotation of said pojec- 1 Y tor to, expose sidewall, end wall and interior wall.v

surfaces of the article to the abrading effects of Y the strearnthe longitudinal axis of said impingement pattern extending generally between said mecd article advancing ineans.

articles including in combination, a rotary abrasive projector having means for controlling the direction of flight of the abrasive to define a fanshaped abrasive stream having portions diverging outwardly and defining a generally .elongated impingement pattern. means for advancing the article to be cleaned successively through the divergent portions of the abrasive stream, and spaced means including a member rotatable about an axis extending in the general direction of forward movement of said article for rotating the said article inthe stream whereby side and end wall sections of the article are impinged by the abrasive during the passage of the article through the abrasive stream, the longitudinal axis of said impingement pattern extending generally between said spaced means. l

12. Apparatus for cleaning metallic castings, forgings and like metallic articles including, an abrasive throwing wheel, rotatable member! for supporting the article to be cleaned, helical means associated with said rotatable members for imparting a translatory movement to the article during rotation through said stream, an article supporting element, andmeans synchronized with the rotating movement of said rotatable members for actuatingsaid supporting element to place the article in gripping engagement with said helical means.

13. \Apparatus for cleaning metallic'castings, forgings and like metallic articles including, an. abrasive throwing wheel adapted to project a fan-shaped stream of abrasive, screw means for advancing the article to be cleaned longitudinally through said fan-shaped stream and simultaneously to rotate the article in said stream, an

article supporting element, and means synchronized with the rotating movement of said screw means for actuating said supporting element to place the article in operative engagement' therewith.

14. Apparatus for cleaning metallic castings, forgings and like metallic articles including, an abrasive throwing wheel adapted to project a fan'- shaped stream of abrasive having a generally elongated impingement pattern, and spaced conveyor means for advancing the article to be cleaned longitudinally through .said fan-.shaped stream in a direction transverse to the axis o`f f rotation of said wheel while simultaneously rotating the article in said stream whereby both side and end wall portions of said article will be cleaned by the impinging effect of thek abrasive during the passage of the article throughv the stream, the longitudinal axis of said impingement pattern extending generally parallel to and between said spaced conveyor means.

15. A machine for blast cleaning metallic articlesincluding in combination, an abrasive throwing wheel operative to project a fan-shaped stream of abrasive particles, a conveyor for ad- :soA

vancing the article to be cleaned through said stream, and -means for removing the article. from said conveyor, said means including a pivoted arm adapted to engage the article andjlift the same from said conveyor, andv means for actuating said arm.

16. A machine for blast cleaning hollow metallic articles including in combination, an abrasive projector operative to throw a stream of abrasive particles at blasting velocities, a conveyor for ad- Y vancing the article to be cleaned through said stream, means -Ior lifting said article from the conveyor and tilting the article to permit the abrasive deposited in the hollow article to be discharged therefrom,an abrasive hopper beneath said lifting and tilting means, 'and means for actuating said lifting and tilting means.

17. A machine for blast cleaning metallic engaging the article, and means for'feeding the article to said conveyor in accordance with the predetermined position of said engaging means,

said article-feeding' means including a pivoted lever for maintaining said article out of engagement with said article-engaging means, and a cam driven in synchronism with said conveyor for actuating said pivoted lever to ,cause said larticle to be deposited upon said conveyor when said engaging means is in a predetermined posi- 15 tion relative to said article.

CHARLES H. ma. 

